Origin
South Hill, WA
Late night in South Hill on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Hill, WA to Yakima, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
157.4 mi
253 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Hill, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 157.4-mile drive from South Hill, WA, to Yakima, WA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes. Predominantly a highway-focused route, 94% of it is on major roads like I-90, US-97, and State Route 18. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, this journey offers a straightforward transit experience. The drive is designed for efficiency, making it a practical option for a quick connection between these two points within Washington State. Consider this a well-paved path that gets you where you need to go with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.7 miles from South Hill, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 84.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| US 97 | 31.3 mi | 34m |
| State Route 18 | 24.1 mi | 30m |
| Valley Freeway | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| North 1st Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Meridian East | 1 mi | 2m |
| 128th Street East | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Meridian Avenue East | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Hill, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on 126th Street Court East
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
126th Street Court East
2
Continue on 117th Avenue East
508 ft
·
19 sec
·
117th Avenue East
3
At end of road, turn right onto 128th Street East
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
128th Street East
4
Turn right onto WA 161
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Meridian Avenue East
5
Continue on WA 161
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Meridian East
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
3.0 mi
·
4 min
Toward WA 512 East, WA 161 North: Seattle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yakima
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto WA 167
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto WA 18
24 mi
·
30 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
13
Merge onto I 90
85 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 97
31 mi
·
34 min
·
US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
314 ft
·
4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
17
Continue on WA 823
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Selah Road
18
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North 1st Street
19
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to factor in about $33 for fuel for this 157.4-mile trip. While the longest stretch is 84.5 miles on I-90, plan for one stop to stretch your legs or refuel. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight for the drive. Pay attention to your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longer stretches of I-90, to ensure a smooth journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.7 miles from South Hill, WA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 35 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.7 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yakima, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Hill, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Hill, WA
This is one driving day of about 157.4 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from South Hill, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 84.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.7 miles from South Hill, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 124.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
128th Street East
At end of road, turn right onto 128th Street East
Navigation decision point
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward WA 512 East, WA 161 North: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 512 East, WA 161 North: Seattle
8
5.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yakima
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yaki...
6
13.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn
7
124.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
US 97
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.94 one way
$65.88 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $34.55 | $69.09 |
| premium | $5.77 | $35.74 | $71.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.75 | $69.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.2 | 0 | $16.53 | $7.56 |
| Efficient EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.77 | $6.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63 | 0 | $22.04 | $10.07 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Yakima, WA
Late night in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
North Bend, WA
79 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 7m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-intensive experience on this route, with 94% of the travel occurring on major roadways. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 84.5 miles on I-90, indicating long periods of consistent driving. The profile is largely a highway-focused drive, suggesting a steady pace for most of the journey. While primarily on interstates and major highways, the inclusion of State Route 18 and US-97 may introduce slight variations in the driving environment as you progress towards Yakima. This isn't a winding backroad adventure, but rather a direct connection.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near 128th Street East.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 157.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (128th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 157.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Yakima, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (128th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Yakima, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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